About Us > Office locations > Motor vehicle service centers >

Tips for DMV service center customers

Locations and best time to visit

• Search for closest DMV office by county or city.
• Check the hours for the office you plan to visit.
• Best days to visit a DMV office are mid-week - avoid Mondays and Fridays.
• Best time to visit a DMV office is between 9:30-11:30 a.m.; or 2-4 p.m.
• Avoid the first and last day of the month and the day after a holiday.
• All Wisconsin DMVs will be closed:
  • 2012: January 2, January 16, May 28, July 4, September 3, October 8, November 22-23, December 24-25, December 31

DMV customer service centers accept cash or checks only. Credit cards are accepted for online transactions.

Save time with online services

• Apply for a duplicate driver license or ID card
• Change your residence address
• Renew your license plates
• Schedule a road test
• More online services

Renew with your Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card. Use the online license plate renewal. Your credit or debit card will be charged an additional $1.25 service charge.

Save with mail

• Save $3 by mailing in your license plate renewal, or $5 by mailing in your title application.

DMV partners offer additional locations

• Automobile and light truck plates can be renewed at a vehicle emission inspection station, whether or not an emission test is required for your vehicle. The lines are shorter, and they have Saturday and evening hours. 
• There are several third party agencies and businesses around the state who can provide title, registration and/or registration renewal services for walk-in customers.

Come prepared

• If you come in for driver licensing services, you will need proof of your identity and your social security number.
• You may also need proof of:
  • name and date of birth
  • Wisconsin residency
  • legal presence
• Knowledge tests (written) for Class D (regular license) and Class M (motorcycle license) take about 45 minutes to complete. Commercial driver license (CDL) knowledge tests take at least 1 to 1½ hours. Please allow enough time to complete tests prior to when the service center is scheduled to close.

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

Questions about the content of this page:
Bureau of Field Services, bfs.dmv@dot.wi.gov 
Last modified: December 30, 2011